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HARAV HAGAON R. AVRAHAM YITZCHIK ZALMANOWITZ ZT”L
1887-1946

Rabbi Zalmanowitz was born in Tomaszow, Poland. In his youth, he
studied with the author of Avnei Nezer and Eglai Tal, Rabbi Avraham from
Sochaczaw, where he became known as an illui. At 17, he received
semikhah from Rabbi Eliyahu Chaim Meisels zt”l, rabbi of Lodz. Besides
his greatness in Torah, he was known for his piety and was among the
distinguished chassidim of the Rebbe of Gur.

He came to the United States in 1921 and was appointed a rosh yeshiva
at Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary in 1927. He taught
hundreds of students during his 20 years there. He also served as rabbi
at Kehillat Beit Aharon and Beit Haknesset Anshei Emet in Williamsburg,
New York.

He was active in the Agudath HaRabbonim, as well as other
organizations of Torah and chesed. He was instrumental in the successful
efforts to save the Gerrer Rebbe zt”l and part of his family from the
hands of the Nazis. Rabbi Zalmanowitz passed away on Erev Yom Kippur.